A/N: Sorry, took longer than I'd like to get this chapter done, but the good news is that I should have the next chapter for you done by tomorrow (unless this pain in my side turns out to be something serious... which hopefully won't be the case, don't fancy having my appendix removed in the next couple of days . ).

Anyhoo, where was I, oh yes, loving reading all of your guesses as to who the mystery person was and one of you was spot on... read on to find out how you did... :D

Chapter Forty-Five

Steve blinked a couple of times, trying to work out if he was dreaming the sight in front of his eyes, his brain unable to comprehend what this meant.

The dark-haired woman walked up to him smiling. "Captain Rogers," she said again, "I thought that was you."

A suddenly dry mouth rasped out a single word. "Peggy," he said hoarsely, unable to take his eyes off the mirage of the woman he'd lost so long ago.

She gave a puzzled little laugh. "It's Margaret actually, Maggie for short."

Steve's heart was pounding in his chest as he tried to fathom what he was seeing. This woman was the spitting image of Peggy Carter. He couldn't help but stare at her, hardly able to believe what he was seeing.

"Are-are you alright, Captain?" she asked hesitantly. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Steve cleared his throat, trying to recover. "I-ah-sorry, you just-ah-caught me off guard."

Her smile widened. "I wonder how many people can say they did that to Captain America?" she pondered teasingly.

Steve knew he was still staring at her, but he couldn't help himself. All his feelings for Peggy, the ones he'd tried to bury, came rushing back to him and Steve was stuck for words. The grief he felt over losing Peggy was at odds at the happiness he had at seeing her again, even though it wasn't her. Steve's mind was a jumble of confused thoughts and emotions.

Maggie didn't seem to have the same problem. She stuck her hand out for him to shake. "I guess we should do this properly, Captain Rogers, I'm Maggie Riley and I was hoping you could give me a minute of your time."

Steve stared down at her hand as though he'd forgotten how to shake hands. It took him a moment, but he managed to reach out and take her hand in his, wrapping his fingers around her. Her hand felt small and warm in his own and in his mind's eye Steve was swamped with memories of Peggy and that frantic first and last kiss between them.

"Captain?" she said hesitantly. "Are you alright?"

Steve forced himself out of his stupor and to let go of her hand. He gave her an uneven smile and nodded. "Yes, sorry, I'm fine." For one wild moment had let himself hope that Peggy had somehow managed to be alive and well in the 21st century like he was but it was clear that this Maggie was meeting him for the first time. Steve swallowed his bitter disappointment.

"So, is it okay?"

He stared blankly at her. "What?"

"Is it okay for me to have a minute of your time?" Maggie repeated.

"Oh, yeah, sure, of course," said Steve hastily.

Maggie looked around and nodded at a nearby diner. "Shall we go in there and sit for a minute?"

"Yes," said Steve, not wanting this moment to be over yet. She may not be Peggy, but Steve couldn't help but let himself day dream for a moment.

They settled into the diner booth and the waitress brought them plastic covered menus to pursue. Steve didn't even look at his, he couldn't take his eyes off of the woman in front of his.

"I think I'll just have a cappuccino" said Maggie, handing her menu back to their waitress. "Captain?"

"Sure, coffee would be great, black, thanks." The waitress hurried off with their order.

Maggie settled back in the booth and smiled at him. The smile made Steve's stomach turn over nervously. It was just too familiar.

"I guess you're wondering what I wanted to talk to you about?"

Steve had a lot of questions but that was as good as place to start as anywhere. "Okay."

"I work in PR, do you know what that is?"

"Public relations," said Steve. He half-smiled. "We had it back in the forties."

"Of course you did," she said quickly, "sorry, I didn't mean to offend."

"You didn't," he said simply.

"I've been watching the news and the Avengers aren't getting a good time of it lately," Maggie noted. "With the arrival of the Defenders and Senator Kidston's vendetta against the Avengers, you're not getting a lot of good press."

Steve's lips tightened but he shrugged. "These things happen."

"The Defenders have a lot of public and government support right now," continued on Maggie, "and as I'm sure you're award, public perception is everything."

"I thought the truth was everything," said Steve quietly.

Maggie gave a short laugh. "The truth rides on the wave of public opinion, Captain."

"Not where I come from, ma'am."

"With all due respect, Captain, you're not where you came from anymore."

Steve grimaced. "I know."

"I didn't mean to be blunt, but that is just how things are now," said Maggie apologetically. "But that is where I want to help you and the Avengers."

Steve frowned a little. "How?"

"We need to run a PR campaign showing the Avengers for the heroic patriots they are," she said earnestly. "You're being given unfair and biased commentary in the media and I say it's time to even that up and hit back with your side of things."

Steve's frown deepened. "The Avengers aren't interested in being in competition with the Defenders, Miss Riley."

"Call me Maggie," she said quickly, "and we're not talking about competition here, simply presenting the real facts of the situation. I mean, who are these Defenders, they suddenly appear from nowhere and are being bankrolled by an ex-con? Come on, there is something fishy going on there and the Senator is up for re-election next year and you can't tell me he hasn't got an agenda in all of this."

Steve couldn't help but be impressed by Maggie's insight. "Maybe," he hedged, "but what does PR for the Avengers have to do with anything about that?"

"The people need to know the Avenger's side of things," said Maggie sincerely. "We need to run PR events where people can get to know the Avengers for the true heroes they are and not for the renegades certain elements of the media is trying to paint them as."

"The Avengers aren't worried about public opinion of them. We're here to do a job, protect the earth and that is what we're going to do."

"But you're not going to be able to do that effectively if people don't trust you," she argued.

Steve tilted his head a little. "Why are you doing this, Maggie? Why is it so important to you that the Avengers have good press?"

Maggie looked down at the table and gave a sad little smile. "My grandfather and I were very close," she said quietly. "He died last year."

"I'm sorry," said Steve sincerely.

"He was eighty-four and he'd had a full life," said Maggie softly, "so there is nothing to be sorry about. Grandad was in the war, the war you helped America and her allies win, Captain. He never spoke about it much, I think the memories were too painful, the things he saw, what he had to do."

Steve's eyes clouded over, understanding the other man's pain.

Maggie brightened. "But there was one thing he was always happy to talk about and that was you."

Steve's eyes widened. "Me?"

"My grandfather would tell the story of how they were in France, trying to hold the line against the oncoming German army. All the soldiers were exhausted from fighting day in and day out in the mud and rain and never seeming to make any ground. All there was every day was more death and more despair, he said it was like being in hell. Then one day Captain America and his Howling Commandos appeared to help break the stalemate. The way you lead all those men and fought beside them changed everything for those soldiers and especially my grandfather. You made them dig deep and find something new inside of themselves, to be more than they ever dreamed they could be. Captain America is more than a man with a shield and extraordinary abilities, he's a symbol of hope and courage and I'm not prepared to sit idly by and watch that legacy be taken away by the likes of Justin Hammer." Maggie's cheeks were flushed by the end of her passionate speech.

Steve didn't know what to say to all of that. "I was doing exactly what your grandfather was doing, Maggie, protecting our country from evil."

"And you've been given a second chance to do that again," said Maggie, "but you have to let people help you. This is a new world you've woken up to Captain and it has new rules. I want to be able to help you and the Avengers be the symbol of hope and courage that I know they are meant to be. Let me help you."

Steve hesitated. "I'm not sure better PR is what this situation needs."

Maggie arched an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sure the Avengers and SHIELD are doing their own digging into what Hammer and his bought and paid for goons are up to."

Steve looked at her in surprise but Maggie continued on blithely.

"But in the meantime it's not going to do anyone any harm to fight a little fire with an even bigger fire," she said confidently. "I can get all of you on TV doing interviews, some positive PR campaigns going-"

"We're a brand?" asked Steve sceptically. "When did that happen?"

"The moment you guys suited up and took on those aliens in the middle of New York City," she informed him. "The Avengers saved the world that day and I say the world shouldn't forget that so easily, plus we need to work on letting them see you in action more. You're only as successful as your last mission."

Steve was amazed. "So, what, past good deeds don't count, just the last one?"

Maggie shrugged. "It's the 21st century, Captain, everyone has goldfish memories."

Steve looked at her blankly.

"Five seconds long," she clarified.

"How did they work that out? And call me Steve."

Maggie pursed her lips. "I don't know, now that you mentioned it, read them a shopping list and see if they could remember it in five seconds, maybe? You never know how these mad scientists think." She smiled at him. "Steve." Maggie said his name with deliberate emphasis and it made his stomach tighten.

Steve laughed a little nervously. "Sounds about right. I live with a couple of mad scientists and they're anything but predictable."

"So, are you in?" she asked hopefully as their coffees arrived.

Steve shook his head. "I can't speak for the others."

"You're their leader," Maggie pointed out.

Steve half-smiled. "The Avengers don't work that way. Everyone has a say in what happens."

"Very diplomatic." Maggie stirred her coffee and looked to be regrouping. "Alright, how about I make the same pitch to them and let them make up their own minds. How does that sound?"

"I don't know," he said reluctantly, "maybe."

"I'm going to take that as a yes," she said cheekily before taking a sip of her coffee.

They drank their coffees and talked back and forth with Steve having to continually remind himself that he wasn't talking with Peggy. It was just that Maggie looked so much like her, it was hard for him to wrap his head around. When their coffees were finished, Maggie said she'd walk back to the Tower with him and Steve certainly had no objections to the suggestion. They continued to talk as they walked and Steve found out that Maggie was twenty-six, a born and bred New Yorker and had gone out on her own to start her own PR company six months ago. Steve just found himself staring at her as she talked and tried to pay attention as best he could. They were almost at the front of the Avenger's Tower when Steve noticed a small, blonde woman walking out of the front door. Olivia glanced their way and immediately stopped when she caught sight of him. Steve's eyes went wide as he realised it was Friday and well after the time he'd said he'd meet with Olivia and her class. He was instantly assaulted with guilt and hurried up to her. "Olivia, I'm so sorry," he apologised quickly.

Olivia looked relieved to see him and smiled. "It's alright, I told the children that when you're a superhero you sometimes can't always keep appointments and other more important things can crop up unexpectedly." Olivia shot a little look at Maggie and then quickly looked away. "I just thought I'd check and make sure you were okay and I can see that you are, so I'll be going now."

Maggie was looking between them with interest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make Steve break an engagement, I kind of just pounced on him in the street," she said. "It wasn't his fault."

Steve wasn't going to let anyone else take the blame for his distractedness. "It was entirely my fault. I'm so sorry, Olivia, I've had a lot on my mind and I just completely forgot." He grimaced. "I can't believe I did that. Was your class really disappointed?"

Olivia just gave a calm smile. "They're children, they get over things pretty quickly."

"I'll come and see them on Monday," he promised her, "and try to make up for being so rude."

Olivia shook her head. "You don't have to make up for anything, Steve, these things happen, it's fine." She included Maggie in her smile. "I'll let you two get back to it. Sorry for intruding."

"You're not intruding," said Steve hastily. Olivia's expressive eyes were unable to hide the disappointment in their brown depths and he felt like hell for having been the cause of a woman who'd only been kind and generous to him. "I want to make this up to you and your class, Olivia."

Olivia fixed a bright smile to her face. "I told you, it's alright, Steve, don't worry about us. You have a lot going on right now like you said, you should concentrate on that."

"Olivia," said Steve unhappily.

Olivia was already smiling at Maggie. "Nice to almost meet you," she said politely before looking up at Steve. "And nice to almost meet you too, Steve," she said softly. Olivia turned around and walked off in the other direction.

Steve watched her go, not knowing what else to say and feeling like a complete heel.

"Who was that?" asked Maggie with interest. She gave him a cheeky look. "One of your fans?"

Steve sighed as regret pulled at him. "No, I was a fan of hers."

"Oh," said Maggie and looked a little surprised, "you were seeing each other?"

"No, yes, I don't know, I kind of thought-" Steve cut off his jumbled ravings and shook his head. "I don't know what I thought."

Maggie put her hand on his arm. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make things awkward for you, Steve."

"You didn't," Steve promised her, "this is all down to me."

Maggie bit her bottom lip and wrinkled her nose prettily. "I don't mean to be a pushy New Yorker, but will you still be thinking about my proposal for you and the Avengers?"

"I'll think about it, but I'm pretty sure the Avengers won't go for it," he conceded.

Maggie gave him a playful look. "Then I guess I'm just going to have to convince you all, starting with you, Captain Rogers." She winked at him. "I promise you, I'm a hard girl to say no to."

"When have I ever said no to you, Peggy?" he replied, forgetting himself for moment.

She gave him a confused look. "Peggy?"

"Sorry, I meant Maggie," he said in embarrassment. Damn, he really was losing his grip.

"Old girlfriend?" she teased him.

Steve moved uncomfortably on the spot. "Something like that."

Maggie sent him a curious look but then just smiled. "How about I take you to lunch tomorrow and we can talk more about my ideas?" Her gaze became warmer. "Or maybe we could just talk."

Steve felt like he'd fallen back through time and he was back in his own era, looking at all the possibilities which had been before him when they'd made that first date plans which fate had stolen from them. Maggie had elements of Peggy about her, her straightforwardness and her self-confidence really reminded Steve of the woman he'd lost long ago. Was it wrong to compare the two, should he just walk away now before things became even more confused? "Sure, that sounds great." His mouth had decided the answer to that one it seemed.

Maggie's beautiful face lit up. "I'll see you tomorrow then. I'll swing by at eleven and we can take it from there."

Steve nodded. "Just one condition, I'm paying."

Maggie gave a little laugh. "Such a gentleman."

Steve still struggled with the concept of women not expecting men to pay when they went out. It just didn't feel right to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Steve."

Maggie held out her hand for him to shake it again and this time Steve didn't hesitate, taking her hand in his and squeezing gently. Fresh memories assaulted him of his first meeting with Peggy and then he was being forced to let go of Maggie's hand as she turned to leave. Steve watched Maggie cross the road and head off down the street before he slowly made his way back into the Avenger's Tower. He made his way up to the media room to find all the Avengers other than Natasha there.

Bruce looked over at him. "Did your walk clear your head?"

Anything but. "Yes," lied Steve and didn't offer any further information. He wasn't sure why he didn't want to share the news he'd found a Peggy doppelganger in this century with the others. Maybe it was because he didn't know what to do with that information himself yet.

Tony looked him over. "You look freaked out," observed Tony. He then looked at Thor. "And you look nervous. Both of these emotions intrigue me but I've got to know what would make a demi-god nervous. What's up, Thor?"

"I am torn," admitted Thor.

"Guess that's why you're thor," punned Tony.

Thor just stared at him.

"It was a joke, a play on words," Tony prompted him.

"Did you not tell me jokes were amusing, Tony Stark?" he deadpanned.

"Everyone's a critic," Tony sniffed. "I can't be using my A material all the time."

"Why are you torn, Thor?" asked Bruce. "Is this about Jane?"

"My words to Steve Rogers have haunted me this day," said Thor soberly. "I said a man must lay claim to his woman to show his love and yet I have not done this with Jane Foster." He frowned. "But with all that is happening with the Defenders and Hammer, I do not wish to desert the Avengers in their time of need."

Clint waved away his concerns. "Nothing is happening, Thor, that's our problem. That's why Bruce is translating Spanish soap operas, Steve is wandering the streets of New York aimlessly and Tony is making a giant hamster ball."

"Safety pod," said Tony hastily, looking over his shoulder nervously for Pepper, "we all agreed to call it a safety pod."

"Whatever," said Clint dismissively. "The point is, nothing is happening here and you may as well go and do something productive with your time. You're only a phone call away and if we need you, we'll call you."

Thor hesitated. "And you are sure of this?" he asked, looking at them all.

"Of course we're sure," said Tony roundly. "I'll even lend you one of my private jets to fly in style." He gave Thor a pointed look. "Don't touch anything in the plane. Planes have a habit of falling out of the sky when you start breaking things in them."

"Verily, you condemn me without reason, Tony Stark, I do not break everything I touch," protested Thor.

Tony glanced over at his pool table with the huge rip up the middle in the felt and then back at Thor.

Thor didn't quite meet his eye. "Tis not broken, the table still stands."

"The day isn't over yet," said Tony dryly. "I have faith you'll deliver the death strike before the end of the day."

"Only you won't because you'll be a on a plane to see Jane," said Bruce.

Thor looked relieved. "Truly, you have only use your electrickery devices and I will be by your sides to stand against our foes in an instant," he promised them.

Tony patted him on the back. "Go and see your lady love, Thor. We'll handle things here until you get back. In fact, bring Doctor Foster back here, I'd love to meet her."

"Mayhaps," said Thor, making no promises.

"Just remember all that I've taught you about getting the girl to fall for you," continued on Tony blithely.

"And do the opposite," Clint inserted. "Don't blow up Jane or end up with Happy having your name tattooed on his ass."

Bruce nodded sagely. "Words to live by."

Steve wasn't really listening to their back and forth as he quietly left the room to head to his apartment, needing to think about everything that had happened in such a short period of time. It was funny, but all of a sudden Hammer and his band of wannabes suddenly felt like the least of Steve's problems...

A/N: Poor old Steve, he's gone from no girl, to one girl he didn't know what to do with, to two girls he doesn't know what to do with. LOL What are your thoughts on this new character – love her, hate her, indifferent? Steve has an important story arc in this story and it's all about him dealing with his past and finding his way in the future, so I thought this deviation was important.

Now, I know I promised the reveal of Pepper's secret in this chapter but this chapter just got huge because I was introducing a new character. I promise the next couple of chapters will be all about that and oh yeah, a little hint as to what JH might be up to through all of this. ;) Thanks for reading as always, guys. You're all made of awesome. :D And I promise I'll try and pick up the pace a bit more in the next few chapters.